• Kevin Bacon, Benjamin Mckenzie, P. Diddy, Taye Diggs, David Spade, Drew Lachey, Bill Hemmer, Carson Kressley, and Simon Cowell Also Honored
• February Issue on newsstands January 18, 2005

Josh Duhamel, star of NBC's Las Vegas, has been named Cosmopolitan's 2005 Fun Fearless Male of the Year. Joining the ranks of past honorees Jon Bon Jovi and Matthew Perry, Duhamel has the perfect combination of A-list talent, knee weakening good looks, and irresistible charm.

Also being honored in the February issue are Taye Diggs, Kevin Bacon, P. Diddy, Benjamin McKenzie, David Spade, Drew Lachey, Bill Hemmer, Carson Kressley and Simon Cowell.

"For Cosmo's 40th birthday, we decided to do something a little different from our classic Fun Fearless Female issue and salute all the Fun Fearless Males we love and admire," said Cosmopolitan Editor-in-Chief Kate White. "We chose these guys because they're smart, witty, talented, and each emanate their own brand of sexiness: traits every Cosmo girl looks for in a man."

Interview highlights from the 2005 Fun Fearless Males/Female

Josh Duhamel: Cosmo's Fun Fearless Male of the Year on being honored:

"When I think about all the other people (Cosmo) could have asked, it's like 'What were they thinking getting me for this?' I know how massive Cosmopolitan is....I'm surprised and flattered."

Kevin Bacon: star of the newly released film The Woodsman, on his career high:

"I like my career better now because I get called (to play) a lot of different kinds of guys. That's what I've always aspired to."

Taye Diggs: star of the UPN series Kevin Hill on his real name:

"Scott. People used to call me Scottaye, so when I went to college, I dropped the Scott and kept the Taye."

Ben McKenzie: the O.C.'s resident rabble-rouser on who he'd like to do a love scene with:

"I'd like to do a love scene with an older woman like Frances McDormand or Meryl Streep. I'd love to get some Mrs. Robinson action."

P.Diddy: hip hop's renaissance man on marriage:

"I respect marriage. That's why I haven't gotten married yet. A lot of people just get together, get divorced, get together, get divorced. I think you get married when you're ready to be in it forever. I'll definitely get married, and I won't get divorced."

Bill Hemmer: CNN's American Morning coanchor on his time covering Afghanistan:

"Living in the deserts of Afghanistan with the U.S. military for six weeks was truly invigorating. We had to sleep on the floor of a bombed-out building and heat our water over a propane heater to shave in the morning."

Carson Kressley: Queer Eye's fashion guru on Jude Law:

"Jude Law really needs my help. No...I just wanna go into the dressing room with him with his shirt off."

David Spade: SNL veteran and 8 Simple Rules star on being honored:

"I just can't get over being a Cosmo FFM. Howard Stern is always telling me I'm not attractive. I'm gonna bring the magazine on his show and say 'Look at this!'"

Drew Lachey: Nick's little brother and Rent star on his Broadway debut:

"Coming to Broadway from the pop world is daunting. There are critics who want you to fail and want to take potshots at you. Rightly so: If you're a name coming into a show, you have to hold your own. If you can't, you deserve the criticism."

Simon Cowell: American Idol's lovable tongue-lasher on Paula Abdul:

"We have a very weird relationship. When I first met her, I was convinced we would end up in bed. Then I got to know her and I started to think about what the following morning would be like. And that was the end of it."

     Susan Portnoy Public Relations
     Susan Portnoy, 212-579-7029
     sppr@mindspring.com